‘No Tears in Heaven’ presentation reigns in big crowd
MARQUETTE — It was a full house at the Marquette Regional History Center as community members came out to hear a presentation from a long-time local historian about a 90-year-old tragedy.
The Barnes-Hecker mining disaster ranks third among the worst non-coal mining accident in United States history according to Wednesday night’s presenter, Tom Friggens.
Friggens is the author of “No Tears in Heaven,” a book recounting the 1926 tragedy in which 51 men from the Ishpeming area perished.
The presentation is just one of several events going on this week as Thursday marks the anniversary.
“Mining has been the economic mainstay of this region for 170 years and so many individuals and families have been a part of that mining heritage and it’s very important for our community to recognize the value of that heritage and of the mining industry and what it has contributed to our region,” Friggens said.
If you’d like to pay tribute to the fallen miners and the families they left behind, an ecumenical memorial service will be held Thursday night at 7pm at the Bethel Lutheran Church in Ishpeming.
In addition, a candlelight vigil will be happening on from 6pm-8pm at the Cliffs Shaft Mine Museum on Saturday, November 5.